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My dad is wanting to get a new trailer for his 1974 Montauk 17'. It came with a bunk trailer. The problem with this is the difficulty in launching. Not to mention the fact that you have to emerse the wheel hubs in the water. We've seen other Montauks with roller trailers. Whats the correct trailer for the boat that makes launching a breeze??

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Whaler has ALWAYS recommend against using roller trailers for their hulls. The claim is that they will leave dents in the hull. I have seen images of this happening though not in person. The only rollers on a whaler trailer should be on keel.

Why is it a problem to put the trailer's hubs under water? That is what they are made to do. The first trailer we had on our Montauk made the boat sit very high on the trailer. We bought a new shorelander with a profile drop axle and the boat sat 6 - 8 inches lower thus making launching much easier. Our trailer was painted but there make a galvanized version for salt water.

Here is some images.

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I have a 17' stitting on a roller trailer and have seen first had the dents jeff speaks of, they actually started cracking the glass in the worst dents. My late winter/spring project was removing the dents and stiffening the hull where the dents occured.

If you can make the bunks work I'd stick with 'em!

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The reason those dents occurred is because the trailer was never set up properly for a Whaler hull. Its true, Whaler doesn't recommend roller trailers for Whaler hulls but that doesn't mean they won't work fine when set up properly. My boat is proof of that, no dents, no cracks, no problems.....

The key to the set up is KEEL ROLLERS. The additional rollers are mainly for stabalization. The Keel rollers support the weight of the hull while the other rollers will stabilize it. With a roller trailer you won't have to submerge the hubs and you'll be able to retrieve your boat in virtually no water.

If you check my personal page on this site you will see my boat on a roller trailer..Good luck.B)

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When I purchased my first 22' Outrage in September 1979, I was going to purchase an EZ Loader trailer equipped with roller bunks. Prior to making the purchase, I was told by Boston Whaler Customer Service that if I used a roller bunk trailer, it could void the hull warranty for the reason already stated, "The rollers could puncture the hull." I was also told, as previously stated, "Whalers have reinforced keels to support the weight of the hull." For consideration!

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Couldn't agree more... As long as you have enough keel rollers and have the bulk of the weight on them, using either bunks or rollers for lateral support only, you should be fine. I had some difficulty finding a trailer for my 22' Outrage this spring and ended up purchasing a new Venture aluminum bunk trailer with no rollers. Bought them separately and doubled them up on each cross member. The only issue was that because this trailer was designed as a float on, the bunks weren't as adjustable as needed, so some bracket trimming was in order, but it's working fine now with most of the boat's weight on the keel rollers.

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Go to West Marine and get a spray can of Liquid Rollers and spray the bunks. That will be the end of your launching and retrieval problems. While you're there, pick up a set of Air-Tight bearing protectors (www.airtighthubs.com). They seal and pressurize the hubs thereby eliminating any possibility of water entering your bearings. I use both products on my Montauk trailer and couldn't be happier.

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have you ever seen a boat being launched with rollers and the front hook unhooked? quite hilarious. boat slid right down the concrete ramp and into the water. don't get rollers. Mike

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1. Keel Rollers = good
2. Carpeted Bunks = good
3. Roller Bunks, also known as Wobble Roller Bunks = not so good for Whalers.

Just want to make sure we are all talking about the same thing.
We can't say rollers are no good... That is too general and not entirely correct. What kind of rollers?

Float on trailers with only carpeted bunks are what Whaler uses today.

The original recommended style trailers had Keel Rollers along with carpeted bunk(s)...
It is hard to beat this type of trailer that has both Keel Rollers and 4 carpeted bunks for all Whalers 16/17 feet and larger...... In the photo below, where it says H.D. Rollers. Those are Keel Rollers and these are good.

http://www.trailrite.com/images/Galva...WT4Tan.jpg

The photo above is from Trail-Rite Trailers in Santa Ana, California.
http://www.trailrite.com/

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Thanks,
I think it is clear that we will keep with the bunk trailer. I'll try the spray. I've heard good things about it.

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I owned a 1965 Sakonnet for 15 years. It was on a roller trailer the entire time (without any keel rollers). I never detected any roller dents in that boat. However, my brother in law owned a 1986 Montauk for 20 years, sitting on a roller trailer the entire time. When he sold it, it was displaying evidence of roller dents.

I am not sure why my Sakonnet did not dent, maybe thicker glass on the older hulls or maybe because the EZ Loader distributed the weight better than my brother in law's Caulkins trailer. Regardless, the key is, keel rollers are the most important support for Whalers.

Doug

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I just ordered two cans of Liquid Rollers for my Outrage 190. I'll post back after I try it out. Anybody else hae any experience with this product?

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As a point of reference, I own what I believe to be is a CPD trailer that once had a commercial hull sitting on it. The trailer was marketed as such and also fits my 1986 Revenge like a glove, so I have no reason to doubt that it was made for a classic 25 hull. The trailer has 12 keel rollers on welded brackets, two 14' long carpeted bunks along each side of the keel rollers to help protect the keel and guide it on, and the lateral support is provided by a pair of roller bunks. My guess is that so long as the weight of the boat is supported on the keel rollers, there is no problem with roller bunks for side to side support.

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I would love to have a trailer like yours under my 22 Outrage.

Doug

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Go with the bunks and either spray them every other time or get
Snaptraxx. They are plastic pieces that snap over the wood bunks with teflon coating on them. They work great. No ripped carpet, have over 2 years with no problems.
www.snaptraxx.com

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Post back on the spray results -- I would be interested in knowing if it helped and how often you had to re-apply.

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The current (old steel) trailer on my 17’ has 4 keel rollers, a fixed steel roller “bunk” (each containing 5 small rollers) on each side aft and two small carpeted wooden bunks forward. The boat has been on this trailer for 20+ years with no denting. With that said, I am in the market for a new trailer this year and will be getting one more reflective of the trailer Joe posted (just not as big). Both the local Whaler dealer and an independent trailer dealer recommended this configuration. I don’t like the roller bunk because you have to be careful retrieving the boat and ensure that the bottom doesn’t get dinged up from one of the corners. A buddy of mine swears by the Liquid Rollers product and that if you’re not watching the boat after you unhook it from the trailer on the ramp, it can easily walk itself right off.

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Joe Kriz - Who makes the trailer in the picture you posted?

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I have a 1996 Montauk and have used rollers since 1993- no dents. I found the bunks very hard to use and didn't want to filly emerse my wheels and Chevy truck in sale water every time I launched (the boat would not slide of trailer) I agree, if you set the keel rollers high enough to take much of the load from the rollers rather than having the rollers take too much load, it seems to be OK.

Another thought- they make teflon skids (Boaters world) that may make the bunks easier to use.